LA deputy critical after attack at mall

Sheriff's deputy remained in critical condition Sunday after being assaulted by a domestic-disturbance suspect

By Stephen Ceasar
Los Angeles Times

LAKEWOOD, Calif. — A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy remained in critical condition Sunday morning after being assaulted by a domestic-disturbance suspect at a Lakewood shopping mall Friday night.

The deputy, who was not named, is in critical but stable condition, according to the Sheriff's Department.

The alleged assailant, Frankie Estrada, 21, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer, according to a statement from the Sheriff's Department.

He is being held in lieu of $1-million bail.

Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at the Lakewood Center mall at about 8 p.m. Friday. One deputy spoke to the woman involved in the incident. The other deputy searched for the man involved in the incident and located a man later identified as Estrada.

As the deputy was escorting Estrada through the mall, Estrada struck the deputy several times, according to the department's statement. Authorities said that the deputy was knocked to the ground and that Estrada continued the attack by kicking the deputy.

A bystander pushed the attacker away from the deputy and Estrada was taken into custody by other deputies, the statement said.